Embark on a relaxing three-day getaway to explore California’s Central Coast during a delightful time of year while enjoying a stay at the quaint Apple Farm Inn. We’ll travel by train, explore the back roads and sample the local fare as we keep a relaxed pace and get a first-hand look at what makes the California Coast so special.

Tour Highlights:

Stay two nights at the deluxe Apple Farm Inn – combining the charm of a Victorian wine country inn with the conveniences of a luxury hotel and featuring cozy rooms with fireplaces and a nightly wine reception

Explore the backroads with lunch and wine tasting at a winery, olive oil tasting at an olive farm and a narrated boat cruise on Morro Bay

Ride along California’s coast from Oxnard to San Luis Obispo aboard the deluxe Coast Starlight train, featuring a dining car and observation car for spectacular views of the ocean and Vandenberg Air Force Base

Attend San Luis Obispo’s Thursday night street faire, barbecue and farmers’ market, and enjoy time at leisure to browse in Solvang

Fine Hotels / Great Locations:

Nights 1-2: Apple Farm Inn – San Luis Obispo, CA

Day By Day Itinerary:

Day 1

Wednesday, 9/26/2018 - This morning we set out from our departure points for the tranquility of California’s Central Coast. We’ll travel by motorcoach to Oxnard to board Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train. Here begins a memorable four-hour rail journey along California’s coastline and through its fertile valleys to San Luis Obispo. We’ll travel along Point Conception and through Vandenberg Air Force Base where you’ll see the beautiful undeveloped coastline only visible by train. You are free to move around the train, get lunch from the snack bar or enjoy lunch on own in the dining car. Check out the view from the observation car or just relax in your comfortable seat. Upon our arrival in San Luis Obispo, our motorcoach will be waiting to take us the short distance to the quaint Apple Farm Inn – our accommodations for the next two nights. Nestled by San Luis Obispo Creek and surrounded by mountains, the Apple Farm Inn is a charming Victorian style, 4-star inn situated among a lush, quiet garden setting. The inn blends the country charm of a wine country inn with the conveniences of a luxury hotel including a fireplace in every room and a heated pool. Enjoy the inn’s complimentary wine reception prior to dinner at leisure at the nostalgic Apple Farm Inn Restaurant.

Day 2

Thursday, 9/27/2018 - Following an included breakfast at the inn, we embark on a full day of sightseeing along the coast and back roads of the beautiful Central Coast.
This morning we’ll travel north into the Atascadero region for olive oil tasting at an olive farm. While tasting, you’ll learn about the harvesting of olives and the creation of the oil as you are guided through the flavors and textures of the oil. We continue to an award-winning winery for an included lunch and wine tasting. This afternoon we travel the back roads to Morro Bay, a charming fishing village famous for its landmark, Morro Rock. This sentinel of Morro Bay is actually a volcanic peak over 21 million years old. The 576-foot-high dome-shaped formation now serves as a preserve for the spectacular peregrine falcons that nest on top. As a bird sanctuary, the Morro Bay National Estuary provide a nourishing habitat to more than 250 species of birds. Enjoy a narrated cruise on the bay to see the beauty and wildlife of this amazing wonderland. We return to the inn for the included wine reception. This evening enjoy San Luis Obispo’s open-air Thursday night street faire and farmers’ market which fills four blocks of historic downtown. Buy just-picked produce, sample a variety of barbecued specialties from local restaurants and stroll the many booths while you are entertained by local performers.

Breakfast Lunch

Day 3

Friday, 9/28/2018 - Following an included breakfast at the inn, we’ll head south to Solvang, America’s famous “Little Denmark.” Here quaint old-world architectural styles blend with flower-lined streets to create a very walkable village. Wonderful shops offer imported European wares and collectibles and the delicious bakeries are a delight. We continue south along the back roads to Santa Barbara for time at leisure for lunch on own and browsing in downtown Santa Barbara. Known as “America’s Riviera,” Santa Barbara offers fabulous shopping along State Street and Paseo Nuevo, the Mediterranean-style shopping district. Arriving at our drop-off points this evening, we’ll all relish in the memories of our time relaxing on the Coast Starlight and at the Apple Farm Inn and our getaway on California’s beautiful Central Coast.

Breakfast

Tour Inclusions:

2 Nights deluxe hotel accommodations

3 Meals: 1 lunch, 2 breakfasts

Comprehensive sightseeing and services of a professional Good Times Travel Tour Director